Women of Influence: Phynetta "Nana" Horton

Her children arise and call her blessed; 

       her husband also, and he praises her ~ Proverbs 31:28

I'm skipping ahead to talk about Nana because today is her birthday, and what better way to celebrate her life than to share with you about her influence or legacy in my life.


Nana is the heart of our family.  -- Papa is the mouth. ;-) -- When I was younger, we lived within bike riding distance of Nana's house, and I spent many afternoons and Saturday mornings with her.  


I've been told it wasn't always this way, but for as long as I can remember, Nana's been a health nut.  She is very creative about getting us grandkids to eat strange new foods she picks up at the health food store.  We never had salt at her house, we had vege-sal.  Snacks were Ak-mak crackers (look 'em up sometime) with a slice of mozarella, and an occasional Jell-O pudding pop, but more often, an oatmeal muffin with a peanutbutter cup baked inside.  Every Sunday lunch at her house was crockpot chicken, brown rice, and lots of fresh veggies.  


Nana's house was always fun.  There were books and games and toys and the swimming pool.  I laugh thinking about how many times we were determined to get in that water in March just because it was a warm day outside.  She'd always let us try it, then stand there with a towel when our lips turned blue and our teeth started chattering and we decided to give in and wait a few more weeks.  


I think the thing I appreciate most about Nana is that I have so many memories of waking up at her house, stumbling sleepily into the kitchen, and finding her sitting at the breakfast table with her Bible open and her prayer guide nearby.  More than any one thing she's ever said to me, that faithfulness in her own personal time with Jesus each day has spoken volumes.


Nana is a very petite woman.  She's about 5'2" and might way 100 lbs ... might.  All of her children and grandchildren dwarf her.  And, I used to think of her as a frail woman.  She's been sick off and on for the last 10 years with various ailments, and in my mind, I equated that with fragility.  But, I was wrong.  


There is a strength about her that comes from somewhere deep down within.  She is bold, and sometimes stubborn.  She fiercely loyal and protective of those under her wing.  And, what she cannot find words to say, she makes up for with a hug and a grip that defies her diminutive size.  Try telling her that you can't do something, and she will take hold of your hands with that grip, find a way to get eye to eye with you, and speak firmly straight into your soul a mix of love and scripture that tempts you to believe you could literally take flight.  


So, today, I celebrate Nana.  Her life, her love, and her influence.